Radio control system



A. L. WILSON RADIO CONTROL SYSTEM Filed April 1, 1921 WITNESSES: INVENTOR zvzziiesizwsoa UM, owl/{' 47 BY W TTORNEY l mma Oct-2,1921).-

* UNITED ST TES ARTHUR LESLIE WILSON, bl EDGEWOOD,. PENNSYLVANIA, ASS IGNOR TO.WESTIRG- Q KANUI'ACTUBINGCOKPAUY, A CORPORATION 01 PENNSYL- nousn nac'nuc vama.

To all w lwm it may concerns Be it known that I ARTHUR Lssnin Wur- SON, a subject of the king of Great Britain, and a resident of Edgewood,in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Radio, Control Systems, of which the followin is a specification.

My invention relates to systems of control and more especially to remote-control sys-' tems which are adapted tobeoperated by radiant energy.

One object of my invention is to provide a remote control system whereb an electromagnet switch or a relay may controlled from a distant point by means of electroma netic waves. v

nother object of my invention is to provide a remote-control s stem which is highly selective, said system ing practically im- H mune from interferin signals.

' In the present state 0 the art, remote-control systems, the operation ofwhich iseffected by .means of radiant energy, may be divided into two classes: namely, those in which a single impulse controls a single relay, the latter controlling, in turn, means for selecting a desired circuit; and those in which a specific ty e of impulse and a separate receiver and re a are employed for each circuit to be control ed.

A disadvantage, however, of the present radio, remote-control systems is the poor-selectivity that'may be obtained from interfering signals.

According to" my invention, I rovide a remote-control system which ma readily operated by the radiant ener rom awire less transmission s stem an which-practically overcomes t e difiiculties heretofore encountered in interfering si a The desired result may be accomplished by employing means for transmitting,"progresslvely, predetermined sequences of 'sig nals at various wave lengths, and by further employing a receiving system wh1ch is selectively responsive to only such signals as" are radiated by the transmitting means.

Other ob'ects as well. as details of construction, w ereby my invention may be car:

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ried out, will be apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which;

Fi' 1 is a diagrammatic view of a'transmittlng station embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the receiving station.

, Referring to Fig. 1,'I'have shown a source of energy 1 connected to a primary windin 2 of a transformer 3 through a contactor and a reactor 5. A. secondary winding 6 of the transformer 3, which has its opposite terminals shunted by a spark gap 7, is connected by conductors 8 and 9, respectively, to

one terminal'of a coupling coil 11, and to a distributing switch arm 12 of a switching device 13.

The switching device 13 and a switching device 14, which are similar in structure and are mounted upon a common shaft 15, comrise, respectively, distributing switch arms 2 and 16 and stationary contact members 17, 18, 19 and 21, 22, 23 The stationary contact members 17, 18 and 19 of the switching device 13are connectedby conductors 24, 25 and 26 respectively, to successively increase the ell plin coil 11 b including portions 24?, 25 and 6. thereo in a prima oscillating circuit which includes, in ad ition, the spark gap7 and a condenser 27.

he stationary contact members nected by conductors 28, 29 and 31, respectively, to successively increase the effective inductance of a coupling coil 32 by includective inductance of the cou- 21, and 23 of the switch 14 are similarly coning portions 33, 34 and 35 thereof in a secondary oscillatory circuit or antenna circuit which may include, in addition, a ground .conductor 36 and an antenna 37.

' A motor. 38, which may be connected to 5 (not shown) through a two-point switch 9 and a switch 41, is operatively connected to a shaft 42 through I;

reduction gear mechanism (not shown well known form. The shaft 42 has rigidly secured thereto a worm wheel 43 for engaging a gear wheel 44 to efi'ect theoperation' of the switch 41, a circuit inter'ru r or wave-changin operation of t e wave-changing switches 13 switch 45 for effecting the I and 14, and a circuit interrupter or message wheel 46 for operating the contactor 4.

E The wave-changing switch or circuit interrupter 45 is provided with a number of commutator segments, according to the desired number of wave changes in the predetermined sequence of signals that is to be radiated. In the drawing, I have shown such a device as provided with three commutator segments, namely; 47, 48 and 49.

An electromagnet 51, the actuating winding of which is controlled by the wavechaneing switch 45, effects the rotation of the s aft 15 supporting the switch arms 16 and 17 through a pawl-and-ratchet device, the pawl 52 being attached to an armature member 53 of the relay 51 and the ratchet 54 being attached to the shaft 15. The circuit, which comprises the actuating winding of the relay 51, includes, in addition, the wave-changing switch 45 and a source of energy 55.

The supply circuit of the transformer 3 may be periodically interrupted by means of the message wheel 46 which controls the actuating winding of the contactor 4. The circuit, which includes the actuating winding of the contactor 4 and the message wheel 46, may be energized by means of a source of energy 56. It is, of course, understood that any number of commutator segments may be employed in the message wheel 46,2111 as determined by the desired sequence of signals that is to be radiated on the wave lengths, as fixed by the wave-changing switch 45.

The switch 41 comprises a stationary member 57 and a rotating switch arm 58. The switch arm 58, which is mounted on a shaft 59 that is actuated by the worm wheel 43 and a gear wheel 44, moves from engagement with a stationary contact member 66 to engagement with a stationary contact member 61 for one complete revolution of the message wheel 46. The stationary contact members 69 and 61 of the stationary member 57 are connected, respectively, to a stationary contact member 63 and 64 of the switch 39. The stationary contact members and 61 are insulated from one another by means of insulating material which is placed between the contact members.

Referring to Fig. 2, I have shown a simple receiving circuit which efiects the operation of a relay 65 controlling a power circuit 66 only upon the receipt of such signals as are radiated from the transmitting station of Fig. 1. An antenna circuit comprises the antenna 37, tuning 0011s 67, 68 and 69, the wave-changing switch 13 for varying the tuning of the antenna circuit to correspond to that of the energy radiated from the trangmitting station, and a ground conductor 1.

A. three-electrode vacuum tube, which comprises a hot cathode 72, a grid 73 and a plate 74, has its grid connected to the antenna circuit by means of a conductor 75 through a condenser 76 and a grid leak 77, the grid leak 77 bein connected in shunt relation to the con cnser 76. The hot cathode 72, which may be energized by means of a source of energy 78 through a resistor 79, is connected by a conductor 81 to one terminal of the switch member 17. A plate-filament circuit includes therein an actuating winding of a relay 82, a message wheel 83, which is exactly similar to the one at the transmittting station, and a source of energy 84.

A wave-changing switch 85, the message wheel 83 and a circuit interrupting device 86 are rigidly secured to a shaft 87, operation of which may be effected by a clockwork mechanism 89 upon engagement of friction discs-91 and 92. The frictional disc 92 may be continuously rotated by the clockwork mechanism 89. The frictional disc 91, which is so mounted upon the shaft 87 as to admit of axial motion, ma be operated into engagement with the iso 92 by means of an armature member 93 of the relay 94 upon the energiz'ation of the actuating winding of the relay.

The'operation of the relay 94 may be controlled by means of the circuit interrupter 86 or the relay 82, both of which are connected in parallel in a circuit which includes the actuating winding of the relay 94 and a source of energy 95. The circuit-interrupting device 86 is an exact counter-part of the message wheel 83 with the except iou that the conducting portions thereof are slightly raised beyond the mean circumference of the wheel. A pivot-ally mounted conducting member 96, which has secured thereto a non-conducting member 97, is so disposed that the circuit through the interrupting device 96 is completed only for counter-clockwise rotation thereof. Operation of the switching device 13 may be effected through a pawl-and-ratchet mechanism, as shown in Fig. 1.

It is understood, of course, that, while I have shown particular means for actuating the shafts 15 and 87 at the sending and receiving stations, respectively, my invention is not to be limited thereby, other sources of energy being equally applicable.

The operation of the main contactor 65 of Fig. 2, which controls the outgoing circuit 66, is effected only upon the engagement of a movable contact member 98, which is secured to the message wheel 83. with the stationary contact member 99. It will be noted that, in the present system, one complete revolution of the message wheel 83 is necessary to efiect the operation of the contactor 65. The contact members 98 and 99, just mentioned are included in a circuit which also includes a source of energy 101 and an actuating winding of the contactor 65. I The movement of the message wheel 83 is in such direction that energy is stored in a spring 102, thereby rmitting the message wheel 83, the waveliiinging switch 85, and the circuit interrupting device 86 to be returned to 'their initial tions upon one complete revolution t ereof, or upon interruptions in the sequency of signals other than those determined by the transmitting station.

Referring to Fig. 1, and assumin an arrangement of' circuits as indicate it will be noted that ener .is being radiated by the transmitting station at a wave length corresponding to the riod of the primer oscillating circuit which includes the spar gapv 7, the condenser 27 and portion 24 of the coupling coil 11.

Furthermore, it will be noted that a brush 102 is engagin ment of the message w eel 46, thereby .completing a circuit which includes the source of energy 56,-the commutator device or message wheel 46 and the actuating winding of the contactor 4. The actuatin winding of the relay 51 is also closed by t e engage ment of a brush 102 and the conducting segment 47 of the wave-changing switch 45, thereby causing the pawl '52 to be in its forward position, as indicated in the drawing. The switch arms 1 2.and 16 have been shown as engaging the stationary contact members 17 and 21, respectively, thereby rendering efi'ective portions 24 and 33 of the tuning coils 11 and 32, in their respective circuits. -Upon actuating the switch arm of the two-point switch 39 into engagement with stationary contact member 63, a circuit is completed which extends from conductor 103, through the switch 39, the stationary contact member 60 of the switch 41, the rotation switch arm 58, the shaft 59 and motor 38, to conductor 104, conductors 103 ergy (not shown). erates to turn the message wheel 46, the wave-changing switch 45 and .worm wheel 43 through one complete revolution. The value of the gear reduction in the worm wheel mechanism shown is such that the switch arm 58 is moved from engagement with stationary contact member 60 to engagement with the'stationary contact member 61 upon one complete rotation of the shaft 42. When the switch arm 58 is actuated out of eng ement with the stationary'contact mem r 60, the supply circuit to the motor 38 is interrupted, thereby rendering the motor 4 inefi'ective.

Upon the successive engagements of the conducting segments 49 and 48 of the wavechanging switch 45 with the brush'102,'the

a conducting seg-- switch arms 16 and 17 of the switches 13 and 14 are further actuated to include, successively, in addition, portions 25, 26 and 34, 35 of the cou ling coils 11 and 32, reslpectively, in t eir rlespective circuits, t ereby progressively c anging the wave length of the energy radiated. Thus, during the time interval in which the message wheel 46 and the wave-changing switch 45 are moving through the arcs 49 -47, 4849 and 47-48, successively, signal trains having predetermined characteristiei, as de indicated upon the receipt of signals; va-

riable currents are caused to traverse the plate-filament circuit, thereby effecting the operation of the relay 82. Upon the closing of the relay 82, a circuit is completed which extends from one terminal of the source of energy through the actuating winding sage wheel 83 and the wave-changing switch 85.

Assuming the signals to arrive at the receiving system accordin to the sequence determined by the transmitting station, it will be noted that the actuating winding of relay ,94 is ener 'zed by the (zferation of rela 82 and 104 being connected to a source of en- The motor 38 then opdurin t e dot-and ash or signa ing rio s, and by the operation of the circuit interrupter 86 during the space intervals between the dotand-das'h or non-signaling periodsto admit of a complete rotation of the message wheel 83.

, If, however, signals are received at inter vals other than those determined by the transmitting station, the actuating winding of the relay 94 is opened, thereby causing the disengagement of the clutch members 91 and 92 and permitting the wave-changing switch 85, the message wheel 83 and the circuit interrupter 86 to return to their initial positions. Y

95 of the relay 94 and relay 82 to an opposite no part of my invention. Furthermore,

various sequences of signals may be radiated other than those indicated in the drawings by employing various spacings on the message wheel 46 and 'by employingvarious numbers of rotations of the message wheel 46 and the wave-chan ing switchfh) for a sequence of signals, -al as will be readily understood by those versed in the art.

While I have shown only one embodiment of my invention, as hereinbefore indicated, it is capable of various changes and modifications without departing from its spirit and scope. I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be im osed thereon as are indicated in the appen ed claims.

Iclaim as my invention:

- 1. In a system of wireless control, a wireless transmission system comprising means for effecting the radiation of a plurality of groups of waves having different wave lengths, .means for modulating each group of waves in a predetermined series of impulses individual to the particular group in question, a receiving system including means for varying the tuning thereof to admit of the reception of said lurality of groups of waves, and means so ectively responsive to said individual series of modulations.

2. In a system of control, a central transmitting station adapted to transmit a plurality of dissimilar groups of signals, each group of signals being radiated at a different wave length, and a receiving system adapted to respond only to signals of pre-.

determined characteristics, as transmitted by the transmitting station.

3. In a system of control, a central transmitting station adapted to transmit a plurality of groups of dissimilar signals, said plurality of grou s of signals being of different wave lengt s, a receiving system and a control circuit associated therewith, said control circuit being rendered effective only upon the receipt of signals of predetermined characteristics, as determined by the transmitting station. a

4. In a system of control, a central transmitting station adapted to radiate progressively a plurality of groups of signals at different wave lengths, each group of dissimilar signals bein com osed of signals of different predetermined urations, a receiving system, and a control circuit adapted to be rendered effective only upon the receipt of signals from said transmitting station.

tion, means for causing said station to radiate electroma netic energy, means includin rotating mem ers associated with said sen ing station for eifectin the radiation of a predetermined cycle 0% modulated energy at a plurality of wave lengths, and a receiving station having similar rotating members, means including a source of motive power for operating in synchronism with said first mentioned members, said motive-power means being normally ineffective, means responsive to the receipt of said radiated cycle of energ for rendering said motive-power means e ective to rotate the rotating members of said receiving station, a localelectric work circuit, and means operable u'pon the receipt of a complete c cle of radiated energy for energizing sai local work circuit.

6. In a wireless receiving system, waveresponsive apparatus, a control circuit and a switch therefor associated with said waveresponsive apparatus, means for varying the tuning of mud wave-responsive apparatus accordin signals Eaving predetermined characteristics, whereby said switch may be rendered effective; and means for rendering said wave-responsive apparatus non-responsive and said switch non-effective upon the receipt of signals having characteristics differing from said predetermined characteristics.

7. In a remote-control apparatus, a contact device, a receiving circuit including an electromagnet adapted to open and close said contact device in accordance with received impulses of electric energy, said circuit including also a circuit making and breaking device, including a movable member, for breaking said circuit in accordance with a predetermined cycle or cycles of intervals, normally ineffective means for moving said movable member, a second circuit including an actuating magnet, a source of.

electric energy, and said contact device for rendering said moving means effective during the energization of said actuating magnet, an auxiliary circuit making and breaking device, including a second movable member coupled to said first-mentioned movable member, for causing the energization of said actuating magnet only during the periods of interruption of saidfirst-mentioned circuit making and breaking device, means responsive to a predetermined movement of said movable members for energizing a translating device to be remotely controlled, and means operable upon the de-energization of said actuating magnet for returning said movable members to initial position.

8. In a remote-control apparatus, a contact device, a receiving circuit including an electromagnet adapted to open and close.

said contact device in accordance with recelved impulses of electric energy, said (at- 9 ber, for making and breaking a circuit in acbreaking device, including a movable 'memher, for breaking said circuit inaccordance with a predetermined cycle or cycles of intervals, normally inefl'ectlve means for moving said movable member, a second circuit including an actuating magnet, a source of of interruption of said first-mentioned circuit making and breaking-device, means responsive to a predetermined movement of said 'movable members for energizin a translating device to be remotely contro led,

means operable upon the de-energization of said actuating magnet for moving'said movable members backwardly to initial position, and means for preventing the energization of said actuating magnet during said backward movement.

9. In a remote-control apparatus,'a receiving station having a circuitmaking and breaking device, including a movable mem' cordance with-a predetermined cycle or cycles of intervals corresponding to a given signal, normally inefiective means for moving said movable member, electro-responsive actuating means-for rendering said moving means efiective, said circuit making and breaking device being initially in opencircuit position, a master contact device a receivin circuit including an electro-magnet a apted to open and close said master contact device in accordance with received impulses of electric energy, means for energizing said actuating means from both said master contact device and said circuit making and breaking device,

' whereby said actuating means is de-energized if the received electric impulses are in such sequence as to open said master contact device during the same time that said circuit making and breaking device is in opencircuitposition, means responsive to a predetermined movement of said movable member for energizing a translating device to be to initial position.

10. In a remote-control apparatus, a receiving station having a circuit making and breaking device, in'cluding a movable member, for making accordance wit a predetermined cycle or cycles of intervals corresponding to a given signal, normall inefiective means for moving said movab e member, electro-responsive and breaking a circuit in actuating means for rendering said moving means effective, said circuit making and breaking device being initially in open-circuit position, a master contact device, a recelving circuit including an electro-magnet adaptedto open and close said master contact device in accordance with received impulses of electric energy, means for energizing saidactuating means from both said master contact device and said circuit making and breaking device, whereby said actuatingmeans is de-energized if the received electric impulses are in such sequence as to open said master contact device during the same time thatsaid circuit making and breaking device. is in open-circuit position, means responsive to a predetermined movement of'said movable member for energizing a translating device to be remotely controlled, means'operable upon the de-energization of said actuating means for moving said movable member backwardly to initial position, and means for preventing the energization of said actuating means through said contact making and breaking device during said backward movement.

11. In a remote-control system, means for transmitting intermittent electrical energy cyclicly in a predetermined manner in accordance with a plurality of.frequencies means for simultaneouslyinterrupting sai energy in accordance with a predetermined cycle. or cycles of intervals corresponding to a given si nal, eachof saidintervals being sufliciently long to include a plurality of complete waves of said intermittent electrical energy, and receiving apparatus for responding only to received impulses corresponding, both in frequency variations and in ener interruptions, to said predetermined or ers.

12. In a remote-control apparatus, a receivin relay responsive only to currents of a pre etermined frequency, a movable member, electro-responsive means for moving said movable member only during the receiptof a predetermined cycle or cycles of electric impulses having different durations, each of said impulses being sufiiciently long to include a plurality of cycles of the received currents, means responsive to the movement of said movable member for varying the frequency to which said receiving re ay responds, whereby the movement of. said movable member is continued only during recei t of impulses having predetermined di erent durations and frequencies, and means responsive to a pre-determined movement of said movable member for energizin a translating device to be remotely control ed. a N

13. In'aremote-control apparatus, a reeeivin relay responsive only to currents of a pre etermined frequency, a movable member, electro-responsive means for moving said movable member only during the receipt of a predetermined cycle or cycles of electric impulses having different durations, each of said im ulses being sufficiently long to include a p urality of cycles of .the received currents, means responsive to the movement of said movable member "for varying the frequency to which said receiving relay responds, whereby the movement of said movable member is continued only dur- Y ing receipt of impulses having predetermined different durations and frequencies,

means responsive to a predetermined'movement of' said movable member for energizble member to.initial position.

In testimony; whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 31st day of March, 1921.

ARTHUR LESLIE WILSON. 

